Kiddie propelled merry-go-round



NOV. 8, 1932. Q L 1,887,410

KIDDI E PROPELLED MERRY-GO-ROUND Filed NOV. 14.,1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l V A. (lHoll INVENTOR N BY NOV. 8, 1932. Q HOLT 1,887,410

KIDDIE PROPELLED MERRY-GO-ROUND Filed Nov. 14. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 8, 1932 ,UNITED STATES ALBERT c. HOLT, or MANGHAM; LOUISIANA KIDDIE PROPELLED mnnnv-eo-nomvn Application filed November 1 4, 1930. Serial No. 495,758.

My present invention has reference to a merry-go-round for use by children, and my primary object is the provision of a device of this character which will afford amusement and healthy: exercise to the operators of the apparatus.

A still further object is the provision of a merry-go-round that is manually operated by the children occupying the seats thereof in a manner whereby the arms, feet, legs and as a matter of fact every part of their bodies is exercised in the operation of. the apparatus and which apparatus is of a simple, strong and sturdy construction that may be cheaply erected and thereby reduce the cost of production, the manual operating meansavoiding the necessity of a motor or other power driving mechanism and consequently reduces the cost of operation. 7

The invention will be fullyand comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when readin connection with the accompanying drawings which form part of the application, with the understanding, however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of thedrawings nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therefrom as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawings: 7

Figure l is a side elevation of a childs merry-go-round in accordance with this invention, parts being in section.

Figure 2 is atop plan view of a sufiicient portion of the apparatus to illustrate the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating a slight modification, whichprincipally resides in the reduced number of seats and in both pedal and lever means for operating the pparatus, I

' Figure 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view through one: of the cars to illustrate the operating means similar to that disclosed by Figure 3but in which the occupants face each ot er.

Figure 5 is a sectional view approximately 3 on they line 55 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of one of the combined foot and pedal operating devices. illustrating a further modification. 7

Figure 7 is a side elevation thereof. I

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the foot pedals. I

Figure 9 is a sectional view approximatelyon the line 9-9 ofFigure 2.

Preferably and as disclosed by Figure 1 of the drawings I embed in a concrete block 1 which in turn is embedded in a ground surface 2 the lower and preferably square end 3 of a post 4 which is round in cross section. The post is also preferably in the nature of a tubular member of sufficient strength to withstand the strainto which it is subjectedand if desired the post 4 may be formed with theend 3 therefor. The top of the post is closed by an ornamental cap 5 andthis c ap may have attached thereto the staff for a flag or the said staff may be received in the hollow post 4. V V

Fixed on the post 4, above the concrete block l'there is a disc 6 that provides a track. Preferably this track is ofv wood and also preferably the periphery of the track is bound by av metal ring. Also if desired the under face of the track may be reinforced by metal elements but in order to obtain a sufiicient friction between-the upper face'of the track and the operating wheels hereinafter toibe described the wooden face on such disc is preserved.

Between thebottom 3 of the post 4 there are angle brace rods 7 that have straight ends through which the securing means are passed.

The track on its upper face is centrally provided with an opening that has secured therein the tubular member or collar 8 that is secured to the post 4 by means 9 and arranged around the post for turning thereon and contacting with the upper end of the tubular member 8 of the track there is a sleeve 10. There arepreferably anti-frictional bearings between the sleeve 10, the post 4 and the collar 8 and the outer periphery of thecollar 8has rigidly secured thereto and radiating therefrom T-irons in the nature of spokes 11. In

the showing of Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings ten of such spokes are provided, although the sleeve may be provided with any desired number of such spokes. The spokes have riveted or otherwise secured thereto upwardly directed angle brace rods 12 and these brace rods are secured to the under face of a flanged disc member 13 that is revoluble around the post 4.

On the under face of certain of the spokes 11 there are secured cross sectionally U- shaped brackets 14 whose arms depend and are directed toward the circular track 6 and between the said arms of the brackets there are journaled shafts 15 carrying rollers 16 which frictionally contact with the upper face of the track 6. Preferably the bearings for the shafts 15 are spring influenced to bring the rollers 16 into proper frictional contact with the track. The shafts 15 are comparatively short and carry on their outer ends clutch heads 17 slidable in spring influenced clutch members 18 that coengage with the clutch members 17, the said members 18being splined for movement on the ends of the operatingshafts 19 of the apparatus and the shafts 19 have their inner ends journaled through bearing brackets 20 which are of angle formation and which arefixed to the outer arms of the brackets 14.

The spokes at the outer ends thereof are connected to a flanged ring 21, and the spokes, inward of the ring are connected together and braced by struts 22, the said struts being preferably in the nature of angle irons. On the upper faces of certain of the struts there are secured angle-brackets 23 to which are connected-brace rods 24 that are in turn connected to the flange of the disc member 13. The struts and peripheral ring, hold the spokes in proper spaced relation to each other and the brace members 12 and 24 efiectively sustain the spokes in horizontal position and prevent any tendency of downward sagging thereof.

Between certain of the struts 22, spokes 11 and peripheral ring 21 there are secured the seats 25 for the operators. The seats are provided with backs and are disposed a slight but suitable distance away from the oppositely directed cranks 26 and 27 formed on the portions of the shafts 19 arranged directly below the said seats 25. The outer ends of the shafts 19 are journaled through depending brackets or plates 28, carried by the peripheral ring 21 and outer brackets or plates 29secured to and depending from the strut braces 22, there being suitable means 30 for holding the shafts 19 from longitudinal movement and the outer plates 28 have fixed thereon the angle ends of steps 31 whereby the operator may arrange him or herself in the seat. Thestraight connected portions of the shafts 19, between the cranks 26 and 27 have pivotally mounted thereon foot pedals 32. What I have termed the bracket members 20 for the clutch elements between the cooperating shafts 19 and 15 may be in the nature of housings for enclosing said clutch elements.

The outer arms of'the inverted U-sha ed brackets 14 have secured thereon depen ing plates 33, and to each of these plates there is pivoted, as at 34, an angle rod or lever 35. The lower arm of each of the members 25 is provided in its end with a brake shoe 36, and the outer arms of they angle brake members 35 have connected thereto links 37 which in turn are connected to hand levers 38 which have.

theirlower ends pivoted, as at 39, to plates 40 which may be secured to the depending plates 29. Obviously by pulling the lever toward the seat the operator will apply the brake, causing the-shoe thereof to frictionally contact with the periphery of the track and thereby stop the rotation of the apparatus should the operator find him. or herself in danger or when it is desired that the'apparatus be stopped for other passengers.

Itwill be apparent that by operating the foot pedals 32 the shafts 19 will be caused to turn and impart a similar movement to the wheels or rollers 16 so that the children occupying' the seats 25 are alforded not only amusement but a healthyexercise. Should the occupant of any of the seats find his or her strength waning it is merely necessary that.

pressure be exerted upon the pedals to'hold the shafts 19 from turning which will cause the ratchet element or head 18 to ratchet over the fixed ratchet element 17.

Inthe modification illustrated by Figure 3 the construct-ion is substantially similar to that previously described, except that the sleeve 10 has secured to the opposite sides thereof the center of two elongated spokes 41. These spokes on the outer ends thereof support hollow bodies 42. The bodies may be of any desired shape butin the showing of the drawings represent miniature aeroplanes. The cockpits of the aeroplanes are provided with spaced seats 43.44 and the opposite crank portions 45 and 46 of the operating shafts have connected thereto oppositely directed links 47, respectively. These links are arrangedat opposite down ward angles with respect to each other, and the ends-thereof are pivotally connected, as at 48, to the lower ends of levers 49 which are pivotally supported, as at 50, to plates carried by the framework of the bodies 42. The links or the pivot 48 for the links have journaled thereon foot pedals 51. In this construction the levers are grasped by the healthy exercise as well as amusement. In Figures i and 5 the construction is similar to that just described except that the seats face each other in counterdistinction to the re- 5 verse arrangement disclosed in said Figure 3.

In Figures 6 and 7 the operating levers have their upper ends provided with lateral handles 52 and the pivots which connect the lower ends thereof to the links 54 are in the 10 nature of elongated rods 53 which extend laterally from the sides of the straight body of the levers and which provide foot pedals. The levers have their short shafts or pivots suitably journaled in means 55 connected to and depending from the body of the cars.

It is thought the foregoing description will fully and clearly set forth the construction and advantages to those skilled in the art to which such invention relates so that further detailed description will not be required.

Having described the invention, I claim: A merry-go-round comprising a'circular disc, mounted at a fixed position, a post passing centrally through the disc, a brake band circumscribing the periphery of the disc, a

sleeve journaled upon the post, spokes radiating from the sleeve, brackets carried by the spokes and disposed above the disc, rollers journaled in the brackets and bearing upon the upper surfaces of the disc, shafts journaled below the spokes and having pedal cranks, interengaging clutch members car-' ried by the shafts and the axles of the rollers, a brake lever pivoted to one of the brackets and having a shoe adapted to engage the brake band, a second lever journaled in the vicinity of the outer end of one of the shafts and a rod operatively connecting said levers together.

40 In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ALBERT G. HOLT. 

